The genus Morus, as treated here, comprises 19 species of which 9 are currently included in this database. It has been proposed (Zeng Q et al, (2015) Definition of Eight Mulberry Species in the Genus Morus by Internal Transcribed SpacerBased Phylogeny. PLoS ONE 10(8): e0135411.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135411) that there are only eight distinct species in this genus. If this treatment is accepted then this species will still be considered distinct.

Common Name: White Mulberry

General Information

Morus alba is a moderately fast-growing, deciduous shrub or tree growing 20 - 35 metres tall. It has a fairly cylindrical, straight bole up to 50cm in diameter and free of buttresses[, ].
The tree has a wide range of uses, being valued especially for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. It is cultivated in home gardens for its edible fruit, there are a number of varieties[]. It is also often grown as an ornamental and is used in shelterbelt plantings[].

Known Hazards

One report suggests that the raw fruit contains hallucinogens[]. This fruit is frequently eaten in various parts of the world, there are even some named varieties, and no such effects have been mentioned elsewhere, nor observed by the writer when he has eaten the fruit. Possibly the unripe fruit was being referred to in the report, though even this would be surprising[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and northern China.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics and warm temperate zones, it can also be cultivated in the tropics at elevations between 300 - 3,300 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 13 - 45°c[]. The plant becomes dormant below 13°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 300 - 5,100mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating light shade[, , ]. Succeeds in a variety of soils ranging from sandy loam to clayey loam, but it prefers a deep, alluvial, loamy soil with sufficient moisture[, , , ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 4.3 - 8.3[]. Plants are fairly wind-resistant[], though the branches are often killed back when growing in strong maritime exposure[]. The species is not drought resistant, though at least some cultivars are - the form 'Tatarica' has been especially mentioned[].
Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[].
Any pruning should only be carried out when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[].
This is a good tree for growing grapes into[]. The grapes are difficult to pick but always seem to be healthier and free from fungal diseases[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. A sweet taste, but the fruit is usually insipid[, ]. Fruits of the cultivar 'Pendulum' tried at Kew in July 1994 had a pleasant flavour[]. A richer flavour develops if the fruit is dried, it can then be used as a raisin substitute. The fruit is up to 25mm long[]. The white, pinkish-white, purple or black fruit is a syncarp, consisting of many drupes enclosed in a fleshy perianth up to 5cm long[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. It contains about 1.5% protein, 0.5% fat, 8% carbohydrate, 0.7% malic acid[]. Per 100 g, the fruit is reported to contain 87.5 g water, 1.5 g protein, 0.49 g fat, 8.3 g carbohydrates, 1.4 g fibre, 0.9 g ash, 80 mg Ca, 40 mg P, 1.9 mg Fe, 174 IU vitamin. A, 9 ?g thiamine, 184 µg riboflavin, 0.8 mg nicotinic acid, and 13 mg ascorbic acid.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked[, ]. A famine food, used when all else fails[]. The leaf makes a good vegetable, it is rich in carotene and calcium[]. Highly nutritious, the leaf contains the vitamin B complex[]. Protein preparations from young mulberry leaves form an excellent supplement to protein-deficient diets[]. The dry leaves contain 18 - 28.8% protein, 0.2 - 0.7% Magnesium, 0.8 - 13.6% soluble sugars, 0.6 - 1.4% phosphorus, 2 - 3.9% potassium, 1.4 - 2.4% calcium, 0.8 - 1.8% aluminium, 0.05 - 0.26% iron, 1.8 - 2.6% silica, and 0.3 - 0.56% sulphur[]. The leaf also contains 10% tannin[].

Inner bark - roasted and ground into a meal then used as a thickener in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread. A famine food, used when all else fails[].

The tree is said to be a source of an edible manna[].

Young shoots can be used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

The white mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used in one way or another[].
Recent research has shown improvements in elephantiasis when treated with leaf extract injections and in tetanus following oral doses of the sap mixed with sugar[].
Extracts of the plant have been shown to have antibacterial and fungicidal activity[].

The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic and ophthalmic[, , ]. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds[, ]. An injected extract of the leaves can be used in the treatment of elephantiasis and purulent fistulae[]. The leaves are collected after the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are generally dried[].

The stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, diuretic, hypotensive and pectoral[, , ]. They are used in the treatment of rheumatic pains and spasms, especially of the upper half of the body, high blood pressure[]. A tincture of the bark is used to relieve toothache[]. The branches are harvested in late spring or early summer and are dried for later use[].

The fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy[, ]. It is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia due to anaemia, neurasthenia, hypertension, diabetes, premature greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly[, ].

The root bark is antiasthmatic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive and sedative[, ]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, oedema, hypertension and diabetes[, ]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[].

The bark is anthelmintic and purgative, it is used to expel tape worms[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This tree can be grown as a part of a shelterbelt. The cultivar 'Tartarica' has been especially mentioned[], it is very suitable for northern latitudes and is much used as a sheltebelt in Russia[].
The tree is also planted for erosion control and in reforestation projects[].

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark of one-year old stems, it is used in weaving clothes etc[, , ]. The stem bark is fibrous and is used in China and Europe for paper making[, ].

The twigs are used as binding material and for making baskets[].

A brown dye is obtained from the trunk[].

An essential oil is obtained from the fruit[, ].

The leaves contain 10% tannin[].

Various parts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as antioxidants, astringents, bleaching agents, humectants and skin conditioners[].

The wood of the mulberry is a potentially excellent source of ethanol, with yields of up to 6% from sawdust treated with acid and then given four days incubation[].

The heartwood is yellow or yellowish-brown, darkening to golden or red-brown upon exposure; it is sharply demarcated from up to 4cm wide band of white or pale yellow sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse; the grain straight; the wood lustrous at first, becoming dull with age, with an attractive silver grain. The wood is light to moderately heavy, hard, durable. It has a tendency to warp in seasoning. It is easy to saw, work, turn, bend and finish. Due to its elasticity and flexibility when steamed, it is much valued for making sports equipment such as tennis rackets and cricket bats, being considered as good as ash (Fraxinus excelsior)[, ]. It is also used for construction, boat building, furniture, agricultural implements, posts, beams, flooring, bridge building, cabinet work, and turnery, especially picker arms, bobbins and tool handles[, , , , , ].
The wood furnishes a medium grade fuel[, ].

Propagation

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[, ]. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the first spring, though it sometimes takes another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Plant out in spring. A good percentage take, though they sometimes fail to thrive[, ].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 25 - 30cm with a heel of 2 year old wood, autumn or early spring in a cold frame or a shady bed outside[, , ]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth.
Layering in autumn[].